CAMDEN, S.C. — There has been a lot of controversy in the past over the bar scene in Five Points.
Now a state leader is calling for more enforcement over food sales at bars.
“That bar over there was shut down, that bar across the streets gone out of business we’ve shut one down over here is shut down," says State Senator Dick Harpootlian.
Harpootlian, a Democrat who represents Richland County, is now spearheading change within the bar scene throughout Five Points.
“In South Carolina. only a restaurant or a hotel can serve liquor by the drink that’s the law,” says Harpootlian
He says that bars in the area are not doing that because some don't operate as restaurants and don't sell enough food.
“My neighborhood has been vandalized by the drunk kids, the throwing up kids, the rambunctious behavior down here, illegal behavior down here so as a neighbor I got involved.” said Harpootlian
According to the South Carolina Department of Revenue, businesses must primarily engage in preparation and serving meals as well as have a kitchen and adequate food on site to sever 40 people a hot meal. Recently several bars went up for sale, but Five Points Association President Tim Smith says they are not against bars.
“I just feel like everybody needs to be in compliance with the law there are a number of bars down here you never see their names in the paper and are in total compliance with law. Harden street may change from the number of bars it has but that doesn’t mean there’s not going to be any bars in five points.," Smith says.
The owner of the Village Idiot Pizza, Brian Glynn, says his main focus is food, so it isn't an issue for him but says the law is more of a gray area then black and white.
“It's just confusing to everyone as to what the rules are and how people are supposed to operate their business," says Glynn.
He says that seeing other establishments up for sale leaves him scared for the future of Five Points.
“Seeing places close their doors is a little bit scary what is going to go there ya know another bar not going to go there is a restaurant going to go into there are they set up for it,” says Glynn
Meanwhile, Harpootlian hopes to see other types of store fronts.
“Not dive bars they could be great retail establishments or restaurants, real restaurants--where’s an Apple store I mean where is all the stuff that would service the kids at the university ” he says.